Who and What Will Never Be Forgotten?
Let’s start with a true story.
The story is about an old steamship that pulled into Southampton Harbor in England years ago, and the passengers got off. Helium-filled balloons rose filled the air, and the crowd went wild as a young Hollywood starlet walked down the gangplank to be greeted by her family and friends. The last person off the ship was an older man who had spent more than fifty years as a missionary in India. All his earthly possessions were in a tattered suitcase he carried by his side.
After getting to his cheap boarding house, the man knelt by his bed and prayed: “Lord, I have served You all my life. I’ve sacrificed everything to tell others the good news of the Gospel and brought many to You. Yet no family or friends are here to celebrate my arrival or welcome me home." As he knelt there, the voice of God spoke to him softly and said, "Son, you're not home yet!"
Did you hear that? “You’re not home yet?” Sometimes God’s people lose sight of that. Sometimes we forget that we are only visiting this planet. We forget that we have a home and city whose architect and builder is God. We forget that our earthly body is temporary, a tent that we stay in for a while. But that is not our home. Our spirits live forever in a house made to live in forever by a God who lives forever.
Years ago, I had a devoted friend who died too young from brain cancer. He helped me start several significant ministries in Phoenix, Arizona, for thirty years. He gave more to me than I ever gave him, even as his pastor. His zest for life, bright wide-open smile, and sincere faith inspired everyone around him. I must admit his passing shook me.
But then I got perspective. If 'home is where your heart is,' he is at home because his heart was always focused on heaven. I remembered Dwight L. Moody’s statement: “Death may be the king of terrors – but Jesus is the King of Kings.” Moody also said, "We talk about heaven being so far away. It is within speaking distance of those who belong there. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."
So, no matter what we are going through on the temporary side of life, always remember, “You’re not home yet.” And always remember Jesus said in John 14:2-3: “Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I'll return and get you so you can live where I live." Remember, faith does not go against the evidence; it goes beyond it.
What’s God’s home like? The Bible says that in heaven, “He’ll wipe away every tear from our eyes. Death is gone for good –tears gone, crying gone, pain gone – all the first order of things is gone.” That’s home, sweet home.
So, the first lesson in our opening story is ‘You’re Not Home Yet,’ if you are in Christ. But there’s a second lesson that I’d like to have us consider. Notice God had not forgotten the missionary. Though no one noticed him, God noticed him. God had not forgotten the missionary's service for God and others. God put in an order for a new house for the man. Others may have forgotten the man, but God doesn’t. "They (believers) won't ever be troubled (by God forgetting them), and the kind things they do will never be forgotten." Psalm 112:6
J. Mark Martin once said, “You are not who the world says you are. The world wants to stamp you with a false identity. They want to make you believe you are somebody you are not. The world wants to measure you, weigh you, look at you, size you up, decide who you are, and generally, it's by what you have done. God says, "No. I'm going to measure you by what I've done for you."
Sometimes we believers forget that God never forgets our God-inspired service and ministry for others. We think, Has God forgotten me? Has God forgotten us?
Here’s some assurance for you in Hebrews 6:10. "For God is not unjust to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." In other words, God doesn't forget your works for Him, your love towards Him, and your concern for people. That missionary needed this verse, and we do too.
Even though we forget God's power, words, commandments, and place in our lives, God hasn’t forgotten you. God hasn't forgotten those beautiful things you did a long time ago in church, even though you may not be attending church now. God is not so unjust as to do that. God positively remembers your past ministry to others, even if you are away from God.
So, who and what will never be forgotten? You and your 'God service' will never be forgotten. And, God always leaves the welcome mat out for anyone who wants to return home.
By the way, God never makes a promise that is too good to be true.
Ed Delph/July 3, 2023/CCC